Study shows that Alabama has second best road system in the nation

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Photo courtesy of Gov. Kay Ivey

According to a new study, 19% of the nation’s roads are non-acceptable, and 5% of the bridge decks are rated as poor. The cost of deteriorating roads to the average American motorist is $556 per year in repairs.

The study found that Rhode Island, West Virginia, and Massachusetts have the worst roads and bridges in the U.S. In contrast, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida have the nation’s best roads and bridges. A team of analysts evaluated the data to determine the state rankings.

Just 12% of Florida roads were determined to be non-acceptable, and just 3% of the bridge decks are categorized as poor. Alabama is better, with just 9% of Alabama roads deemed to be non-acceptable and 2% of the bridge decks. Georgia has the best roads in the country. In Georgia, just 7% of the roads are non-acceptable, and 3% of the bridges.

The cost of aging roads per motorist in Alabama is $506, which is just $50 per year less than the national average. The cost of aging roads per motorist in Florida is $351, and just $275 in Georgia.

Rhode Island has the worst roads, with 48% deemed unacceptable and 19% of the bridge decks being poor. West Virginia was next, with 31% of the roads being unacceptable and 15% of the bridge decks being poor. Massachusetts is next, with 28% of the roads being unacceptable and 11% of the bridge decks being poor. The cost of aging roads per motorist in Rhode Island was $823 a year. The cost in West Virginia was $723 per year. Massachusetts motorists pay $627 a year due to aging roadways. New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey round out the top six for worst roads.

The cost of aging roads included two considerations: the cost of repairing the road and the cost of repairing cars damaged by poor road conditions.

Drivers in Oklahoma ($900), California ($862), Rhode Island ($823), Mississippi ($820), and New Mexico ($768) pay the most due to poor roadways. Drivers in Florida ($351), North Carolina ($336), Georgia ($275), Oregon $268), and Tennessee ($194) pay the least.

Rankings are based on a composite score of the percentage of non-acceptable roads and the percentage of the state’s total bridge deck area considered poor and structurally deficient. Also included in the composite score rank is the cost per motorist that is allocated toward repairing bridges and road infrastructure.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has strongly emphasized road projects and infrastructure improvements. After being elected to her first full term, the Alabama Legislature, at her urging, raised gas taxes by ten cents per gallon to pay for road improvements.

“Four years after its enactment, it is clear that Rebuild Alabama’s overall impact extends far beyond just roads and bridges,” wrote Gov. Ivey in an op-ed. “Driver safety, commercial efficiency, and economic productivity are all aspects of the enhanced quality of life being delivered by Rebuild Alabama. It also tells the world, ‘Alabama is open for business!’”

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